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Module 3: Privacy & Data Sovereignty
Overview
This module empowers students to take control of their personal data and protect their privacy across digital platforms. Learn to configure privacy settings, understand data collection practices, and minimize your digital exposure.
Learning Duration
[To be determined]
Prerequisites
- Active social media accounts
- Smartphone (iOS or Android)
- Web browser access
- No technical background required
Topics
3.1 Hardening Social Media Settings
Key Concepts:
- Privacy settings configuration
- Data sharing controls
- Visibility management
- Third-party app permissions
Platform-Specific Content:
Facebook Privacy Settings
- Profile and tagging settings
- Post audience controls
- Face recognition settings
- Off-Facebook activity
- Ad preferences
- App and website permissions
Instagram Security
- Account privacy settings
- Story and post controls
- Comment filtering
- Activity status
- Data download and deletion
LinkedIn Privacy
- Profile visibility controls
- Who can see your connections
- Blocking profile viewing
- Job seeking mode privacy
- Data export
Other Platforms
- TikTok privacy settings
- X (Twitter) settings
- Snapchat privacy
- [Additional platforms to be added]
[Detailed content to be added]
3.2 Mobile OS Security: iOS vs. Android Privacy Configurations
Key Concepts:
- Mobile operating system permissions
- Location tracking controls
- Advertising identifiers
- App privacy reports
iOS Privacy Settings:
- App tracking transparency
- Location services management
- Camera and microphone permissions
- Photos access controls
- Privacy report review
- App privacy labels understanding
- iCloud privacy features
Android Privacy Settings:
- Google account privacy settings
- App permissions management
- Location history controls
- Activity controls
- Privacy dashboard
- Advertising ID management
- Google Play Protect
[Detailed content to be added]
3.3 Browser Privacy: Cookies, Trackers, and Fingerprinting Protection
Key Concepts:
- HTTP cookies and tracking
- Browser fingerprinting
- Cross-site tracking
- Privacy-focused browsing
Content Areas:
- Understanding cookies (first-party, third-party)
- Cookie management and deletion
- Tracking protection features
- Browser fingerprinting explained
- Private/Incognito mode limitations
- Privacy-focused browsers (Brave, Firefox, DuckDuckGo)
- Browser extensions for privacy (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger)
- DNS-level ad blocking
- HTTPS Everywhere and secure connections
[Detailed content to be added]
3.4 Understanding App Permissions & Data Harvesting
Key Concepts:
- Mobile app permissions
- Data collection practices
- App privacy policies
- Data minimization
Content Areas:
- Types of app permissions (location, contacts, camera, etc.)
- Why apps request permissions
- Identifying excessive permissions
- Reading privacy policies effectively
- Understanding Terms of Service
- Data broker and aggregator practices
- Opting out of data selling
- Alternative privacy-respecting apps
[Detailed content to be added]
Practical Exercises
Exercise 1: Social Media Privacy Audit
Objective: Secure all social media accounts Duration: [To be added] Checklist:
- Review Facebook settings
- Lock down Instagram
- Configure LinkedIn privacy
- Audit other platforms
- Remove unnecessary third-party apps
Exercise 2: Mobile Privacy Configuration
Objective: Optimize smartphone privacy settings Duration: [To be added] Tasks:
- Review all app permissions
- Disable unnecessary location access
- Configure advertising settings
- Enable privacy features
- Review app privacy reports
Exercise 3: Browser Hardening
Objective: Configure browser for maximum privacy Duration: [To be added] Steps:
- Install privacy extensions
- Configure tracking protection
- Set up private search engine
- Clear browsing data
- Test privacy configuration
Exercise 4: App Permission Review
Objective: Audit and minimize app permissions Duration: [To be added] Process: [To be added]
Platform-Specific Guides
Facebook Privacy Guide
Step-by-step instructions: [To be added]
Instagram Privacy Guide
Step-by-step instructions: [To be added]
LinkedIn Privacy Guide
Step-by-step instructions: [To be added]
iOS Privacy Setup
Step-by-step instructions: [To be added]
Android Privacy Setup
Step-by-step instructions: [To be added]
Privacy Tools Comparison
Browsers
| Browser | Privacy Features | Ease of Use | Recommended For | |———|—————–|————-|—————–| | Brave | [To be added] | [Rating] | [Use case] | | Firefox | [To be added] | [Rating] | [Use case] | | Safari | [To be added] | [Rating] | [Use case] | | DuckDuckGo | [To be added] | [Rating] | [Use case] |
Privacy Extensions
- uBlock Origin
- Privacy Badger
- Decentraleyes
- HTTPS Everywhere
- [Additional tools to be added]
Search Engines
- DuckDuckGo
- Startpage
- Brave Search
- Qwant
Assessment
Privacy Audit Checklist
- All social media accounts secured
- Mobile privacy settings optimized
- Browser privacy configured
- App permissions reviewed and minimized
- Privacy-focused alternatives identified
Knowledge Check
- What is browser fingerprinting?
- Difference between first and third-party cookies
- Why app permissions matter
- How to read a privacy policy effectively
Practical Assessment
Title: Complete Privacy Transformation Requirements: [To be added] Deliverables: [To be added]
Resources
Privacy Configuration Guides
- [Facebook Privacy Checkup]
- [Apple Privacy Features Guide]
- [Google Privacy Settings]
- [Browser-specific guides]
Privacy Tools
- Privacy.com (virtual cards)
- SimpleLogin/AnonAddy (email aliases)
- ProtonMail (encrypted email)
- Signal (encrypted messaging)
Educational Resources
- Privacy Guides (privacyguides.org)
- Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
- [Privacy-focused blogs and resources]
Legal Resources
- Your data rights under GDPR/CCPA
- How to submit data deletion requests
- Understanding privacy laws
Last Updated: 2026-01-07